You know the excitement of a game day at MSU. Tailgating with family and friends. The pre-game gathering of the Spartan Marching Band at Adams Field. The march to the Stadium with cheering students, fans, and alumni. And week after week, from the first notes of the Fight Song to the last notes of “Shadows,” the band brings unparalleled excellence to performance at the game. The Spartan Marching Band provides the soundtrack for Michigan State Football.

You can be part of the excitement. As a Band Fan, you’ll be supporting all the activities of the band, from instrument costs and uniforms, to travel expenses and instruction. We’re counting on you. It is only because of the support of friends like you that we can maintain our high level of musical and visual excellence.

In return for your support, you’ll receive Spartan Fanfare, our electronic newsletter, with inside information about upcoming shows, news from the band, features, and more. You’ll also receive special “perks” reserved just for Band Fans.

Giving Levels

Your donation to Band Fan will earn the following benefits. Higher donor levels include the benefits of the preceding lower levels.

Inner circle ($1,000+)
Framed Photo of the Spartan Marching Band
SMB Band-O-Gram: Inner Circle members receive one free SMB Band-O-Gram during the 2015 football season. A portion of the SMB will perform at an MSU (East Lansing) location of your choice. Information will be included in qualifying members’ packets.

Section Sponsor ($2,500+)
New! See below.

Sponsor your Favorite Section of the SMB!

Love the Drumline? Son or daughter play mellophone? Trumpet alum? Now you can sponsor your favorite section of the Spartan Marching Band! Your $2,500 gift will have a real impact on the Band, and entitle you to special recognition.

There are eleven unique sections in the SMB. Your section sponsorship supports the SMB, while recognizing the pride and contributions of your favorite section!

Earn Spartan Fund Benefits

Gifts made between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015 count toward the 2015 Season. These dates were established to match the fiscal year of MSU Intercollegiate Athletics and the Spartan Fund. Gifts received after June 30 apply to the following year. Your entire gift directly benefits the Spartan Marching Band.

Make Your Donation to the SMB

To make a secure credit card gift to the SMB on-line, click on the button below. When the page comes up, click on “Donate Now”, and enter your biographical information in the form. Enter the amount you would like to donate, then use category Spartan Marching Band. If your donation is for a section sponsorship ($2,500.00 and above), please indicate that along with the name of the section that you wish to sponsor.

Gifts can also be mailed to:

Spartan Marching Band
College of Music Advancement Office
Michigan State University
105 Music Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1043

Band Fan Breakfast

All donors receive an invitation to the exclusive Band Fan Breakfast at the Kellogg Center, the morning of the last home game.

Spartan Spectacular

A great Spartan tradition, the event features performances by the Spartan Marching Band, the Spartan Drumline, MSU Wind Symphony, as well as jazz and faculty artists from the College of Music. To reserve seats, call the Wharton Center Box Office at 517-432-2000 or visit whartoncenter.com.

The Spartan Marching Band is open to all university students by audition only. You must be regularly admitted to Michigan State University in order to audition; students enrolled at MSU through the Lifelong Education program are not eligible for participation. You do not need to be a music major to qualify for the Spartan Marching Band.

You may e-mail the Director of the Spartan Marching Band, Professor John Madden at madden@msu.edu with any questions related to Spartan Marching Band auditions.

All auditions (regardless of section) must be confirmed through the MSU band office at (517) 355-7654. The SMB has scheduled several audition days for 2015. They are:

Instrumentalists

The instrumental audition should consist of one prepared selection involving contrasting styles (3 to 5 minutes in length). A piece that you might perform at a “Solo and Ensemble Festival” would be appropriate. You do not need an accompanist. Please also prepare your major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats. There will be brief sight-reading.

Auditions are Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 9:00 AM

“Out of state” instrumentalists (or those who can not attend the audition day) may submit a DVD (video and sound) of your solo material and scales. Mail DVD by June 6, 2015 to:

Professor John T. Madden
Director, Spartan Marching Band
118 School of Music
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1043

Drumline

2015 MSU Drumline auditions will be held on Saturday, April 18, and Saturday, May 2, from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. More information can be found on the drumline website.

Color Guard

On Campus Auditions

The SMBCG will hold one (1) audition day for the 2015 SMB season. All prospective members will experience a morning group class in movement and flag that includes fundamentals along with choreography. After lunch, there will be a brief review and then the audition will proceed in small groups.

What to wear:
Please wear darker clothes that you move well in and are able to properly show your skills.
Ladies, a hair tie is expected to keep your hair out of your face.

What to bring:
Water, gloves and a great attitude! We will provide all equipment.

What we are looking for:
We are looking at grace, poise, attention to detail, athleticism, connection of body with equipment, quick adaptability to style + technique, strong performance, strength, consistency, attitude.
The desirable candidate will have all of the above attributes or the right mix along with a strong desire/passion to improve and grow into the skill set necessary to succeed at Color Guard at MSU.

Video Auditions

Those who are unable to attend auditions with a reason deemed acceptable by the SMBCG instructor or SMB Director are able to submit a video with that demonstrates the following requirements:

Movement: 60 second routine that demonstrates basic knowledge of movement fundamentals including moving across the floor

Big Ten Flags

Brass and Saxophone Music Majors

If you plan to be a music-major, your College of Music audition will satisfy for automatic membership in the Spartan Marching Band (except for percussionists). Feel free to call (517) 355-7654 to ask any questions related to this subject. Music majors will receive a letter from the Band Office in early May. If you would like to participate in the SMB as a music major, simply fill out the form in the early May mailing and return it to the MSU Band office. You will then be included in our July mailing for all new SMB members.

Flute, clarinet, oboe, and bassoon music majors must audition for the SMB, on your SMB instrument of choice. These instruments are not in the SMB instrumentation.

Directions and Audition Appointments

All auditions (regardless of section) must be confirmed through the MSU band office. Contact Charlene Wagner, SMB Administrative Assistant at (517) 355-7654 to secure an audition. Or, email her at reha@msu.edu.

Note: Be sure to leave plenty of time for parking, as finding a spot can sometimes be difficult!

Door to door directions from mapquest. Enter your address in the start section, then press “get directions” at the bottom of the page.Campus Map (the MB is at B-11).Map to the Music Building.

The SMBCG will hold one (1) audition day for the 2015 SMB season. All prospective members will experience a morning group class in movement and flag that includes fundamentals along with choreography. After lunch, there will be a brief review and then the audition will proceed in small groups.

What to wear:
Please wear darker clothes that you move well in and are able to properly show your skills.
Ladies, a hair tie is expected to keep your hair out of your face.

What to bring:
Water, gloves and a great attitude! We will provide all equipment.

What we are looking for:
We are looking at grace, poise, attention to detail, athleticism, connection of body with equipment, quick adaptability to style + technique, strong performance, strength, consistency, attitude.
The desirable candidate will have all of the above attributes or the right mix along with a strong desire/passion to improve and grow into the skill set necessary to succeed at Color Guard at MSU.

Video Auditions

Those who are unable to attend auditions with a reason deemed acceptable by the SMBCG instructor or SMB Director are able to submit a video with that demonstrates the following requirements:

Movement: 60 second routine that demonstrates basic knowledge of movement fundamentals including moving across the floor

http://spartanband.net/2015-color-guard-auditions/feed/02015 Cotton Bowl to Feature #8 MSU vs. #5 Baylor – Jan 1, 2015http://spartanband.net/2015-cotton-bowl-to-feature-8-msu-vs-5-baylor-jan-1-2015/
http://spartanband.net/2015-cotton-bowl-to-feature-8-msu-vs-5-baylor-jan-1-2015/#respondTue, 16 Dec 2014 18:52:48 +0000http://spartanband.net/?p=1177Michigan State, which finished No. 8 in the final College Football Playoff rankings, will play in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against No. 5 Baylor on Thursday, Jan. 1 at 12:30 p.m. EST in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This marks the first-ever appearance for the Spartans in the Cotton Bowl Classic, which dates back to 1937.

Get tickets, merchandise, and travel information on the official Cotton Bowl site: cottonbowl.com.

]]>http://spartanband.net/2015-cotton-bowl-to-feature-8-msu-vs-5-baylor-jan-1-2015/feed/02014 Spartan Spin-Tastic: Saturday, December 20http://spartanband.net/2014-spartan-spin-tastic-saturday-december-20/
http://spartanband.net/2014-spartan-spin-tastic-saturday-december-20/#respondSat, 06 Dec 2014 16:40:54 +0000http://spartanband.net/?p=1171Come join State of Art, Michigan State’s indoor Winter Guard at our fith annual Spartan Spin-tastic! The all day color guard hands on experience will take place on Michigan State University’s campus in Demonstration Hall on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Participants will learn from world class instructors who have previously taught top level drum and bugle corps, winter guards and performed with the Tony award winning Broadway show, Blast!

Class levels vary from beginning to advanced, providing an opportunity for all to learn new skills and have a great time. Participants can choose from a full range of technical classes in dance and flag along with supplemental classes in acting. The individual pre-registration fee is $25 and includes a free souvenir t-shirt. A group rate is available for ensembles that send ten or more members. General public is welcome with all registration done completely online.

Show us your #SpartanSmile for the chance to be featured in the Spartan Marching Band’s pre-show performance video during halftime of the 2014 MSU Football home opener against Jacksonville State on Friday, August 29. Upload your photo to Facebook, or use the hashtag #SpartanSmile on Twitter and Instagram, for your chance to be featured in the video: http://woobox.com/brkeky.